Driven to Distraction

On May 11, two powerful car bombs ripped through the Turkish town of Reyhanlı on the Syrian border, killing at least 51 people. This was not only the worst cross-border spillover of the Syrian conflict to date—it was also the deadliest terror attack in Turkey’s recent history. But if you were watching Turkish television or reading the national papers the next day, you could be forgiven for thinking that nothing had happened in Reyhanlı. Dominating the airwaves instead were the seas...

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Gulf official urges Russia to stop arming Assad

DOHA/ISTANBUL, Asharq Al-Awsat—Gulf sources have downplayed the recent Russian statements concerning a weapons deal with Syria. A military expert has described reports that Russia has supplied Syria with S-300s missiles as a political maneuver, adding that the intended deal was for Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missiles. The source added that this is a part of an old military deal between the two countries, with Syria acting as the middle-man, and Iran as the final destination. Russian F...

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